10 replies to this topic

[brewin]

Apple is currently in a legal battle with Psystar, a maker of Mac clones. Should Apple drop the lawsuit and allow it?

Bonus Question:
Would you buy a license to install OS X on a PC if Apple made that possible?

[Camaro]

I think they should, free market an all.

[banj0]

brewin, on Aug 29 2008, 01:46 AM, said:

Apple is currently in a legal battle with Psystar, a maker of Mac clones. Should Apple drop the lawsuit and allow it?

This case is a bit confusing. I'd need more information to form an opinion on whether or not Psystar is infringing on copyright or whether Apple is guilty of anti-trust violations. To wit:

"The law firm also noted PsyStar's OpenComputer ships with a fully licensed, unmodified, retail copy of Mac OS X"

"PsyStar started selling a computer called the OpenMac back in May that included a modified version of Apple's operating system."

That last part makes me think Apple has a legal argument to make. Not that I've read it, but I'd bet Apple's Reseller agreement is pretty clear about selling pre-modded versions.

On the other hand, in anti-trust cases, doesn't evidence need to go to some government agency and get a "right-to-sue" judgment? I might be wrong about that, but, if so, and Psystar gets a "right-to-sue" judgment (or if their lawyers think it's even close), Apple would be playing Blackjack with 1 card if they didn't acquiesce. Course, we all saw how M$ reacted to those charges so who knows.

brewmeister said:

Bonus Question:
Would you buy a license to install OS X on a PC if Apple made that possible?

I wouldn't.

[m.oreilly]

i hear ya, banj, though i'd buy a copy to give 'er a go. yes, unix with special apple 'sauce', but heck, i live in a one horse town and don't get out much...go figure

[hog]

I'm not even sure I get the whole clone thing... But if it's just some company like Dell that makes PC's that run OS X, I say why not? But personally, I never understood all the hype around Macs, especially at university where if you don't have a Mac you're not cool.......

I'll kick everyone's ass with my new Acer Aspire One anyways. (when I get it)

[brewin]

hog, on Aug 29 2008, 09:20 AM, said:

But if it's just some company like Dell that makes PC's that run OS X, I say why not?

Yes, that's basically what they are. It's a pretty generic Intel-based computer running a modified OS X.

hog, on Aug 29 2008, 09:20 AM, said:

I'll kick everyone's ass with my new Acer Aspire One anyways. (when I get it)

Cool, I want a netbook. If only I had unlimited funds...

[VoodooGuru]

After years of living in a Windows world, I got a new job as Information Technology Manager at a company that uses all Macs (8 Xservers) with the exception of a couple of linux servers for our mail server and some specialty software and 2 windows PCs to run the ADP payroll software and the HVAC system (which is pretty cool, you can monitor the entire heating and cooling system of the building from a browser.)

I found the Macs pretty easy to get used to with the exception of a few minor annoyances. At my previous job we had 5 Macs in the print shop that I had networked into our Windows network. That was all the experience I had with Macs previous to my new job, that and installing a modded version of Mac OS X on my POS Dell.

I would buy a license if I could install an unmodded version of OS X on a custom built PC provided I get to custom build it ...of course.

I don't think I would buy a Mac though. They are kind of over-priced and just a bit too proprietary for my liking.

[Roadrunner]

The only way Apple will ever make a serious dent in the market share that PCs' have is to let others make them.

So the question is:

Who here would like to build a MAC??

[m.oreilly]

[hog]

m.oreilly, on Aug 30 2008, 02:38 AM, said:

You'd be excited to build anything, even a mount of crap, provided it has a sticker saying "computer" on it.

[VROSA]

I think they should allow clones... and I'd like to try OS X on a PC !